Ryan Fischer, Lady Gaga’s dog walker, is listed in stable condition after being shot in a robbery on Wednesday night.
On Thursday, Fischer texted a friend to say he was breathing on his own, PEOPLE reported.
According to Los Angeles Police Captain Jonathan Tippett, the victim was shot one time in the chest and is now stable after doctors listed him in critical condition.
Tippett confirmed the circulating video released by TMZ was, in fact, the tragic and disturbing encounter between Fischer and the suspect.
In the video, Fischer struggled to stop the kidnapping of Lady Gaga’s two French Bulldogs, Koji and Gustav. He can be heard screaming, followed by a gunshot and more screaming.
The suspect fled with the two dogs.
Authorities are looking for two suspects. Both are believed to be Black men between the ages of 20-25.
Authorities noted that Fischer’s wallet was not taken during the robbery, and it appears that the suspects “intended to rob the individual of the dogs.”
Dr. Fred Pescatore, a friend and former client of the victim, said that he received a text from Fischer from the hospital on Thursday that said he was “breathing on his own now.”
“The thing he texted was not even about him. It was, ‘I miss you. I love you. Thank you,” the doctor said of his friend that he describes as a selfless, “amazing” person who is also a gifted writer, artist, and musician.
Fischer used to walk Pescatore’s beagle when he resided in New York City. The two connected quickly.
“I’ve never met anyone [who doesn’t love him]. There’s nothing negative about that man,” he added.
As for dogs, Pescatore says Fischer has a deft touch with dogs. “He’s amazing with them. He cares. They’re like his children. He’s very in tune with the dogs’ needs. He would do anything for them, anything.”
It wasn’t surprising to see that Fischer put himself in physical danger to protect the two French Bulldogs on Wednesday night.
“He would protect these dogs with his life. And he almost has. And let’s hope he has not,” Pescatore said when referring to the video.
A rep for Lady Gaga confirms her $500,000 reward for information about her dogs still stands.
“I just want the world to know the man behind Lady Gaga’s dogs, and other people’s dogs. And this man deserves recognition. He was the one that was shot. He was the one protecting her dogs. And not enough people are focusing on that,” Pescatore concluded.
